Change of guard in AJK

In a surprising but well-choreographed move, PPP has formed government in AJK at a time when hardly six months are left for the state elections. Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, elected yesterday, is the fourth prime minister of the state assembly that is still to complete its four-year tenure – raising eyebrows as to what necessitated it and why. The inside out support that the PPP secured through floor crossing by 10 PTI legislators sealed the fate of Prime Minister Anwarul Haq who was ousted under a no-confidence motion.

The fact that PPP still waited a long time to bring in the desired change and was clueless on naming a successor hinted at behind-the-scenes maneuvering: there are reports of a give-and-take on the 27th constitutional amendment recently passed by the parliament. Rathore, meanwhile, bagged 36 votes in the 53-member assembly, as 14 lawmakers abstained and two voted against the no-confidence motion. The PML-N chose to remain on the fringes in the state assembly in what is believed to be a quid pro quo for the PPP's largesse at the Federation in passing the amendment.

The change of guard in AJK has raised many questions and is unlikely to be of any help in addressing the simmering woes of the state. The people in the state had recently rallied for their socio-economic demands, including royalty for hydel-power projects in the territory, scrapping of perks for ruling elites and abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri migrants from IIOJK. That apolitical charter of demands is quite unlikely to be honoured by a compromised in-coming cabinet, and may lead to more political chaos and instability.

The sitting assembly has seen many twists and turns, which could only be accounted for under the politics of connivance. Likewise, the meddling from Islamabad remains a constant as secure majorities on the floor of the house are turned into minority governments, as is evident with the exit of three chief executives within a span of 40 months. That is an unhealthy convention, detrimental to the cause of freedom. The PPP is in need of exhibiting some wisdom, and will be watched by the electorate as they go to the ballot.